Kern County Department of Human Services v. S.N.

Opinion

GOMES, J.

Appellant S.N. (mother) appeals from the juvenile court’s order denying her telephone visitation with her son J. Mother contends the court erred in denying her telephone visitation and failing to ask her whether she had any Indian heritage, as required for purposes of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) (25 U.S.C. § 1901 et seq.). While we will find the court did not abuse its discretion in denying visitation, we agree the court erred in failing to ask mother about her Indian heritage. Accordingly, we will remand the matter with directions.

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

On…